Recently in my reflections in this Lenten season, I felt inspired to look up a little more information about Mary Magdalene. I wasn’t aware that her name is mentioned in the Gospels around 12 times—more than most of the male apostles. And I also hadn’t thought about the fact that she was with Jesus at three of the most important times in His life: the Crucifixion, His burial and the Resurrection. Being the first to see Jesus after He’d risen was quite an honor.

I’ve always looked to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a great example of discipleship, but today I look at Mary Magdalene as well. I feel I can almost relate better to her because she was a sinner. She wasn’t pure like our Immaculate Mother Mary. She also wasn’t the adulterer we used to confuse her with in the Gospels, but we know she was a sinner nonetheless.

And yet her unwavering faith and trust in Jesus is seen throughout Scripture. She’s even been referred to as the “Apostle to the Apostles.”

I think it’s easy to look at people like Mary Magdalene and think she must not have had any doubts about following Jesus. But certainly she must have had them—she was only human, after all. She probably struggled to know the right thing to do just like we do today.

It’s such a gift that we have Mary Magdalene as an example. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were known someday maybe not as an “apostle to the apostles,” but as an “example of discipleship” to all those around us?

About the Author

Judy Zarick is a producer in the Media department at Franciscan Media. She has worked in both video and radio production, where she has produced music videos, faith-formation programs for video, and the popular "Lenten Radio Retreat" and "Advent Radio Retreat" programs for radio. Her primary jobs are as a wife and as a mother to her four children.

dandev

I have always been a little confused about who Mary Magdalene was, but no doubt she was a faithful follower who played an important role in the gospels. I wish I could find out more about her life!